Sarah Young - Jesus Always (with Bonus Content): Embracing Joy in His Presence (a 365-Day Devotional)

Jesus Always: Embracing Joy in His Presence

2016 by Sarah Young

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Other Scripture quotations are from the following sources:

The Amplified Bible ( AMP ). Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) ( ESV ). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Good News Translation in Todays English VersionSecond Edition ( GNT ). Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. The Holman Christian Standard Bible ( HCSB ). Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. HCSB is a federally registered trademark of Holman Bible Publishers. The King James Version ( KJV ). Public domain. The Message ( MSG ). Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org). The New Century Version ( NCV ). 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The NET Bible ( NET ). Copyright 19962006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved. The New King James Version ( NKJV ). 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, New Living Translation ( NLT ). 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The Revised Standard Version of the Bible ( RSV ). Copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Living Bible ( TLB ). Copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-0-7180-3950-9

ISBN 978-0-7180-3951-6 (eBook)

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I dedicate this book to Jesusmy Lord and my God, my Savior and Friend.

Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
P SALM 43:4

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are
pleasures forevermore.
P SALM 16:11 NKJV

Though you have not seen
him [Jesus], you love him;
and even though you do not see him
now, you believe in him
and are filled with an
inexpressible and glorious joy.
1 P ETER 1:8

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I am blessed to work with a very talented team: Jennifer Gott, my editorial project manager, has worked valiantly on the production of this bookwearing a variety of hats quite effectively. Im thankful for Kris Bearss, my editor who knows my work wonderfully well and edits my writing with just the right touch. Finally, Im grateful for my publisher, Laura Minchew, who has an abundance of creative ideasand shepherds my publishing so well.

Writing Jesus Always has been a marathon for me. I began working on it in September 2012, while I was still living in Perth, Western Australia. In 2013 my husband and I moved back to the USa complicated international move from one side of the planet to the other. I lived out of suitcases for half a year, staying in seven different homes, moving back and forth between some of them multiple times. Needless to say, I didnt get much writing done during that six-month period.

When we finally settled into our permanent home in Tennessee, I was delighted to be able to start writing again. Working on Jesus Always became my top priority: I chose to postpone many worthwhile activities in order to complete the book. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be able to set aside large blocks of time for focusing on Jesus and His Word.

Jesus Always is designed to increase your Joy and strengthen your relationship with Jesus. If you belong to Him, your story has an indescribably happy endingno matter what is happening in your life right now. And just knowing that your story finishes so wondrously well can fill your present earth-journey with Joy. If you do not yet know Christ as your Savior, be assured that Im praying for you every daythat you will ask Him to forgive all your sins and give you the glorious gift of eternal life. Then you too can experience the amazing Joy of being Jesus beloved friend.

I have been contending with impaired health for many yearssince August 2001. In my quest to find healing, Ive gone to a number of doctors and tried a variety of medical treatments. I continue to have significant limitations in my life, yet I have found Joy in my journey.

My inability to be out and about very much has given me more time to focus on Jesus and enjoy His Presence. It has also provided opportunities to spend time with precious friends and acquaintances. I no longer drive because of the chronic vertigo Ive had since 2008. As a result, caring friends have driven me to various places, often staying with me during long waits for doctors. Spending time with these wonderful people has been a source of much pleasure for me.

Leading a quiet life helps me look for and find little treasures that brighten my day: a cardinal or blue jay in flight, a coincidence reminding me that God is at work in the details of my life. I try to take time every day to jot down in a notebook a few of the recent blessings Ive received. I call it my Thanks Book, but it could just as easily be called my Joy Book. Looking for good things and thanking God for them cheers me up and changes my perspective, helping me see my life through a grid of gratitude.